Former NFL defensive end Aldon Smith died at the age of 36 on Saturday and tragic details have emerged regarding the timeline of events.
Smith was reportedly helping deliver pizzas to a charity for homeless people with friend and businessman Amir Shirazi in the Bay Area just hours before his death.
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Shirazi told the San Francisco Chronicle on Saturday that he found smith unresponsive and twitching in his vehicle outside of his home.
He quickly called 911 and called for assistance from former 49ers running back Anthony Dixon, who attempted to administer CPR.
Smith was declared dead at Good Samaritan Hospital less than an hour later, with a manner of death yet to be revealed.
He was drafted into the league by the 49ers in 2011 and immediately became one of the league’s most promising young defensive players.
Just one year later, Smith set a single-season franchise record with 19.5 sacks while earning a Pro Bowl spot. But off-field issues quickly began to derail his career.
He missed more than four seasons over the next nine years due to various suspensions and was arrested on 10 occasions. He was suspended in 2015 after his third DUI and was eventually banned by the NFL.
Five years later, he was reinstated and played one more season for the Dallas Cowboys.
Shirazi said Smith had since attempted to make changes in his life and was truly trying to make a positive impact on the world.
“He was a very sweet, caring, loving giant,” Shirazi said. “That if you really knew him, you’d know who he truly is.”
